2024 preseason rankings: Top 40 wide receivers

24. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

Age: 25
2023 rank: 22 (standard), 19 (PPR)
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett
Other receivers: AJ Brown, Dallas Goedert (TE), Parris Campbell, Johnny Wilson

The Philadelphia offense looks different on paper than it did a year ago but nothing should change in the passing game. Saquon Barkley's arrival improves the running game in theory but Jason Kelce's simultaneous departure creates questions up front that the team has never had before. Smith's numbers were nearly identical in 2023 from his statistical production in 2022 and nothing substantial suggests otherwise ahead of his fourth season.

23. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

Age: 26
2023 rank: 25 (standard), 13 (PPR)
Quarterback: Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco
Other receivers: Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, Alec Pierce, Ashton Dulin

If Anthony Richardson can be the guy he was through four weeks in 2023 for the entire season, Pittman should reach a new level in his fifth season. Even with Richardson not being the best passer, the big-play potential with him under center is there. Pittman finished as the WR13 with Gardner Minshew last season, giving him top-10 potential in 2024.

22. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

Age: 24
2023 rank: 27 (standard), 27 (PPR)
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes II, Carson Wentz
Other receivers: Marquise Brown, Travis Kelce (TE), Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson

After finishing slightly behind Travis Kelce in receiving yards in 2023, Rice finally feels like the guy who will bring stability to the Kansas City receiving room. The overall improvement of the receiving corps should help Rice, particularly with the addition of deep threats in Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy. If Rice can truly grow into this role as the WR1 on a Patrick Mahomes-led offense, his ceiling is as high as any receiver in the league.

21. George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 23
2023 rank: 23 (standard), 29 (PPR)
Quarterback: Russell Wilson, Justin Fields
Other receivers: Van Jefferson, Pat Freiermuth (TE), Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson

Continuing to get overlooked as a part of a bad offense, Pickens did not receive enough credit in 2023 for topping 1,100 yards on just 63 catches. He came into the league as a sure-handed receiver with but showed off his YAC potential while forming into one of the best playmakers in the league. With Diontae Johnson out of the picture, Pickens is cemented as the WR1 in Pittsburgh but will have to deal with the uninspiring quarterback competition between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Regardless, the usage and targets will be there for Pickens in 2024, who has top-10 upside in the right situation.

20. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

Age: 28
2023 rank: 7 (standard), 15 (PPR)
Quarterback: Brock Purdy, Joshua Dobbs
Other receivers: Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle (TE), Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall

Samuel's seasonal outlook could change entirely once the Brandon Aiyuk situation sorts itself out but until then, he is firmly in the WR2 range. Although he finished as the WR7 in standard leagues last season, Samuel's usage as a running back — which has been the base of his fantasy value — has gone down each season as he ages. With seven absences over the past two years, injuries are also beginning to catch up to him but Samuel will remain a top option in fantasy as long as he remains attached to Kyle Shanahan.

19. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons

Age: 23
2023 rank: 42 (standard), 37 (PPR)
Quarterback: Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr.
Other receivers: Kyle Pitts (TE), Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud, KhaDarel Hodge

Of all the receivers on this list, London is the one we are taking the biggest gamble on to rocket up the rankings. After dealing with abominable quarterback play through his first two seasons, London will benefit from the substantial upgrade to Kirk Cousins at quarterback. Even if Cousins returns from his Achilles injury at just 50 percent he will still be a sizeable step up from the level of play Desmond Ridder brought to this offense. With the amount Atlanta invested in Cousins in the offseason and the departure of Arthur Smith, the offense figures to be more pass-heavy in 2024, especially with their defensive liability. London has weekly WR1 upside; he just needs to prove it on the field.

18. DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks

Age: 26
2023 rank: 15 (standard), 21 (PPR)
Quarterback: Geno Smith, Sam Howell
Other receivers: Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Noah Fant (TE), Jake Bobo

Statistically, Metcalf had the second-best year of his career in 2023 with 1,114 yards, eight touchdowns and a career-high 16.9 yards per catch. However, his receptions dropped dramatically from 90 in 2022 to just 66 in 2023, leading to a mere WR21 finish in PPR as opposed to WR15 in standard leagues. With Geno Smith still under center despite a regression last season, it will be interesting to see which version of the 26-year-old is his true form with Smith. The expected progression from Jaxon Smith-Njigba should only balance out the advancing age of Tyler Lockett.

17. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders

Age: 31
2023 rank: 14 (standard), 14 (PPR)
Quarterback: Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew
Other receivers: Jakobi Meyers, Brock Bowers (TE), Tre Tucker, Jalen Guyton

The Las Vegas offense will be in shambles in 2024. Whether it's Aidan O'Connell or Gardner Minshew under center, neither option is very exciting and the team has no choice but to continue running 31-year-old Adams into the ground. Since moving west in 2022, Adams has seen target totals of 180 and 175, both significantly more than any year he had in Green Bay. His red zone efficiency is likely to decrease with the addition of rookie tight end Brock Bowers but as long as his usage remains sky-high, Adams should be able to out-perform this dreadful situation.